FAQs
How does HerbScript work?
HerbScript offers one-to-one telehealth consultations. Dr. Hoover will ask questions and collect necessary information. He will also ask you to photograph your tongue, so that he can do a traditional tongue diagnosis. It is a process, and you are an important part of that process.
After each consultation, a formulation of herbs will be designed and made for you, specific to your needs and according to what has been discussed. All of our herbs are in a scientific form called powdered extracts (see below for more information). Your custom formulation will ship out by Mail and should be at your home in 1-5 days. These pharmacy services are available in the US and Australia.
How much does HerbScript cost?
The average cost for HerbScript is $500 per month. This would include two consultations and four weeks of custom herbal formulas at an average dose. The cost is higher than this at the beginning of working with HerbScript and then it decreases over time. The price goes down because, as your health improves, you will likely need lower doses of herbs and less frequent consultations. Please note that consultations are necessary to prescribe you a custom herbal formula.
PRICES
- Telehealth Consultations: $125 for follow up assessments; $225 for the initial assessment
- Custom Formulations: $15 flat fee + $.40 per gram (this price may vary depending on your region and pharmacy)
- Shipping: Mail costs vary by region and country
Some clients will need more herbs and some will need less; some will need more frequent consultations and some will need less. Your individual costs will be made clearer during our first meeting. We encourage people to get started, have an intial consultation, try an herbal formula, and learn more about their individual needs.
How many consultations do I need?
You only need one to begin. How many you need after that depends on the problems we are addressing and your personal goals. Many clients start with weekly sessions, transitioning to bi-weekly after the first month. We can discuss this during our first consultation.
How many grams of herbs will I take?
This depends on your condition, but the average dose is 100 grams per week. As a general rule, chronic long-term problems should be treated with a lower dose for a longer period; and acute, short-term problems should be treated with a higher dose for a shorter time.
How do I schedule?
Click here and schedule a consultation using the secure calendar.
What are powdered extracts?
Powdered extracts are a scientific, standardized way to work with botanicals or herbs. They can be dissolved in hot water and will produce a tea very much like what you could create by cooking herbs in water, on a stovetop, the traditional way.
How do I take my herbs?
There are a couple of ways. Herbs can be taken as a powder and washed down with a tall glass of cool water. We recommend this way. When doing it, put the herbs into a small cup, like an egg cup, and then pour them onto your tongue. Afterward, wash them down with water. It takes a few attempts to do this easily, and most client’s get used to it, however, you can also dissolve your herbal extracts in boiled water and drink them. Creamers or sweeteners can be added but are not necessary. Drinking your herbs is a very traditional way of doing it and has advantages because it is easier for your body to digest.
How quickly will I see results?
This depends on your condition, but expect to see some change within two weeks and often within a few days. If there is no change, either the formula needs to be modified or the dose is too low. There are occasional exceptions to this rule.
What is a Dipl.OM?
What is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine?
The Dipl.OM certification stands for “Diplomate in Oriental Medicine” and is administered by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). It means that the individual has graduated from a medical school for Chinese medicine and has also passed five national examinations, including one on standard, Modern medicine.
New Mexico administers a license called a DOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine). This license requires more schooling, as compared with many other states, and it requires passing an additional state-held examination. It also allows the holder to diagnose disease, accept healthcare insurance, and practice as a primary care practitioner. The DOM license requires continuous education to maintain the right to practice.
Studying at an Chinese Medicine School is similar to attending a regular medical school. It is a large commitment requiring four years of year-round study and practice. The curriculum is divided into regular bio-medicine and science, traditional herbal medicine, and acupuncture.
What is Dr. Hoover’s experience?
Dr. Hoover started full-time training in 2003, and his training includes earning a Master’s degree, completing an advanced apprenticeship, and also an externship at (then) St. Vincent Hospital. He earned his license in 2007 and has since worked full-time with patients, using either acupuncture and/or herbal medicine. He has designed, prescribed, and filled more than 10,000 herbal formulas for patients and has treated many major diseases. Digestive health naturally and organically became a focus of his practice, and he has had the opportunity to help many live healthier, better lives.
Why are there consultations?
Clients schedule consultations because it is needed to learn about who they are and how they can best be helped. All of the formulations are custom, tailor-made, and unique to each person.
Should I do anything to prepare for my consultation?
Consultations work best if you have already thought about your “Main Complaint.”
The Main Complaint is a health issue that you can feel. For example, “high cholesterol” would not be a Main Complaint because you cannot directly feel it. On the other hand, having headaches or painful diarrhea are experiences you can feel. What you feel and notice are messages from your body, just waiting for translation by an experienced practitioner. Working with what you can directly perceive is important to improving your health, and it produces the best outcomes.
It is important to have your consultation while sitting in a place that is private and quiet.
How do you ensure the quality of your herbs?
HerbScript herbs come from certified, traditional growing regions in China. This means that we prioritize geo-authenticity. Just as the art of winemaking relies on the origin of grapes, also temperature, humidity, soil, terrain, and micro-climate affect herbs as they grow. This, in turn, affects their properties.
We have a high standard for raw plant material. HerbScript herbs are bright, vital, alive, and potent. They surpass cGMP international standards in terms of heavy metals and pesticides. All herbs are completely traceable in their origin from individual farms, and each batch of plants is identified using thin-layer Chromatography. Furthermore, these plants receive the ultimate in terms of traditional processing methods.
Are all of your herbs plants?
99.5% of HerbScript herbs are plants. It is not generally known that not all “herbs” are plants. Many traditional practitioners prefer to use the broader word “medicinals” for this reason.
The majority of patients receive only plants in their prescriptions. Other possibilities include shells, minerals, insects or animals parts (please note that these are from animals that are not endangered!). Often these medicinals are more costly than plants, and so they are used only when a desired effect cannot be achieved in other ways. For example, Abalone shell is excellent for difficulty sleeping when restlessness (tossing and turning) is severe. We once had a patient who was constantly, uncomfortably lightheaded. This persisted until deer antler (from an relatively unharmed deer!) was added to her formulation. Within a short time, she was restored to perfect health.
If you have specific requests or restrictions about non-herb “herbs” please let Dr. Hoover know during your consultation. He will also share information so that you can make an educated decision.
How do the herbs taste?
“Unusual” is probably the first word that comes to mind. In fact, each batch of herbs is custom-designed for individual patients, so each one tastes different. What we find is that the process of designing custom formulas has an interesting effect: They often (but not always) taste good to that individual, over time. A fair number of clients who did not like the taste of their herbs at first come to enjoy them. Some even crave them, looking forward to their next dose. Some clients have replaced coffee with their herbs, and some even add cream and sugar, just like they used to do in their coffee.
What we usually ask is for people to have an open mind when drinking their herbs. That unusual sour or bitter or sweet flavor might just become the next big thing for your body (and your palate). If drinking the herbs is difficult for your taste buds, you can always dump the powder onto your tongue and swish it down with water. Done!
Why Herbal Medicine, why not Acupuncture?
Traditionally, acupuncture was known as “External Medicine” and herbs were known as “Internal Medicine.” This means that acupuncture is best suited for external conditions, such as musculoskeletal injuries or pain. Internal conditions, which include most digestive problems, are best treated with herbal medicine. It is a traditional understanding that still applies today. However, it is only a general rule, and there are exceptions. If Dr. Hoover thinks you would be best helped with acupuncture, he will suggest that you find an acupuncturist.